Summerfest unveils more than 75 headlining acts for 2014
MILWAUKEE (WITI) – Summerfest officials announced on Wednesday morning, March 26th more than 75 headlining acts that will perform at the 2014 festival!
For some commuters, it might have seemed like a typical drive to and from work, but there was something unique along the way Wednesday, making the commute a little more enjoyable for some. 43 digital billboards all over Milwaukee were displaying 75 of Summerfest’s newest headliners.
“Wow. That`s a lot of billboards! And they are all for Summerfest? Wow!” said Rybon Jones from Milwaukee.
“I think that makes a lot of sense! Because you drive to the venue so why not have it on a billboard. Yes makes a lot of sense,” said Dave Shanahan from Milwaukee.
The 75 acts were shown in 5 minute blocks on the morning commute at 6, 7 and 8 and then again on the evening commute at 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30.
“You can just drive around town and see who's coming,” said Jones.
According to Summerfest's Vice President of Entertainment, Bob Babisch, that's the idea!
“We wanted to put it out there with a bang, wanted to put it out there, so everyone can see all the great acts at Summerfest this year,” said Bob Babisch, “You can see everything from new acts like The Neighbourhood and The Congos and The Bleachers, to things like Kip Moore. The list goes on and on.”
With so much variety, chances are good you might be able to find an act you like, but the billboards themselves might not be for everyone.
“When I’m driving I’m not paying too much attention to the other things around,” said Kenny Dickmann from Milwaukee, as an example.
But it seems to have done the trick of grabbing people's attention.
“We hope people get into the whole excitement vibe of summer fest even though it`s like 10 degrees below zero today. It`s just a fun thing and people should get ready for the festival get ready for the summer get ready for the fun,” said Babisch.
The following Grounds Stage Headliners have been added to the 2014 lineup:
| New Order | Rise Against | Kip Moore | Ray LaMontagne |
| Joan Jett & the Blackhearts | Nas | Brand New | The Neighbourhood |
| Fitz And The Tantrums | Ludacris | Five Finger Death Punch | The Fray |
| The Head and the Heart | Neon Trees | The Airborne Toxic Event | Tegan and Sara |
| B.o.B. | Robert DeLong | Melissa Ethridge | Bonnie Raitt |
| Atmosphere | Girl Talk | REO Speedwagon | Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite |
| ZZ Ward | Umphrey’s McGee | Cheap Trick | Walk Off The Earth |
| Ziggy Marley | Kongos | A Great Big World | .38 Special |
| Jake Miller | Kool and the Gang | Switchfoot | Jake Bugg |
| Yonder Mountain String Band | Bleachers | O.A.R. | Timeflies |
| Wailers | Los Lonely Boys | Scotty McCreery | Pentatonix |
| SoMo | Blackberry Smoke | Rusted Root | George Thorogood & The Destroyers |
| DJ Pauly D | Kansas | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band | Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue |
| Michael McDonald | Clay Walker | The Crystal Method | Dennis DeYoung and the Music of Styx |
| Matisyahu | Crowder | Best Coast | Taj Mahal Trio |
| David Nail | The Hold Steady | Delta Rae | Cowboy Mouth |
| Saints of Valory | Bombino | Kopecky Family Band | Moon Taxi |
| St. Lucia | Wild Feathers | James Hunter Six | San Fermin |
| Bad Suns | Kitten | Wild Cub | Foy Vance |
Performance dates, times and stage locations as well as additional headliners will be announced in the coming weeks.
Previously announced Marcus Amphitheater Headliners include Bruno Mars with special guest Aloe Blacc, Lady Gaga, Brad Paisley with special guests Darius Rucker and Joel Crouse, Outkast with special guest Gary Clark Jr., Dave Matthews Band, Zac Brown Band, MÖTLEY CRÜE with special guest Alice Cooper and Fall Out Boy and Paramore with special guest New Politics with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Summerfest 2014 will take place June 25 - 29 and July 1 - 6 from Noon until Midnight and will be closed Monday, June 30.